Data transmission processing apparatus and program

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the invention to time independent common times for a plurality of processing system groups, respectively. It is another object of the invention to take a synchronization in the vicinity of the start of reproduction also when a difference is made over a time taken to prepare for the processing of each processing system. Counting unit ( 12 ) manages the common times of a plurality of processing system groups ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) to time a common time for each of the processing system groups, and time supply unit ( 13 ) supplies the common time obtained by the counting of the counting unit ( 12 ) to each of processing systems ( 161 ), ( 162 ), ( 171 ) and ( 172 ). Moreover, counting control unit ( 14 ) controls to start and stop the counting based on notices given from the processing systems ( 161 ), ( 162 ), ( 171 ) and ( 172 ) of the processing system groups ( 16 ) and ( 17 ). The processing system groups ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) carry out synchronous data transmission processings with each other based on the common time supplied from the counting supply unit ( 13 ) in relation to data received from data supply unit ( 151 ) and ( 152 ). Then, the data transmitted synchronously are reproduced in data reproducing unit ( 181 ) and ( 182 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a data transmission processingapparatus and program for synchronizing data on various media such as avideo, a sound and a text and carrying out a transmission processingsuch as reproduction or recording.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, the data transmission processing apparatus of this typehas been constituted to reproduce one reproducing information or morewhich is/are stored in a storage unit in synchronization with a singleclock signal (for example, see Patent Document 1). Moreover, someapparatuses have such a structure that the reproducing start time ofeach media element is previously specified and reproduction is startedupon receipt of all of the display preparation completion notices of amedia element group to be started to be reproduced earliest (forexample, see Patent Document 2).

[Patent Document 1]

JP-A-2001-356767

[Patent Document 2]

J P-A-6-243058

In the conventional data transmission processing apparatus describedabove, however, when each processing system is to prepare for aprocessing at the start of the processing, a difference is usually madeover a time required to prepare for the processing. For this reason,there is a problem in that a synchronization cannot be taken in thevicinity of the start of the reproduction if counting is startedcorresponding to a processing system completing the preparation early.In the case in which there is a processing system taking a considerabletime for the preparation of the processing when the counting is startedcorresponding to a processing system taking the longest time for thepreparation, there is a problem in that the start of the counting isdelayed or the counting cannot be started.

In the case in which there is a plurality of processing system groupshaving different common times from each other, moreover, there is aproblem in that a plurality of common times cannot be independentlycounted respectively or a start and a stop cannot be controlled.

In the case in which one of a plurality of processing systems becomesdisabled when the processing systems carry out the data transmissionprocessing synchronously, moreover, there is a problem in that thecontinuation of the synchronous transmission processings cannot besubsequently carried out.

In an apparatus having a plurality of processing systems correspondingto various media such as a video, a voice and a text, thus, it hasconventionally been hard to carry out a data transmission processing toperform reproduction or recording while taking a synchronizationproperly corresponding to the processing operations of the respectiveprocessing systems.

The invention has been made to solve the problems and has an object toprovide a data transmission processing apparatus and program in whicheach processing system can synchronously start a processing and cancount a common time also in the case in which a difference is made overa time taken to prepare for the processing of each processing system.

Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide a datatransmission processing apparatus and program which can independentlycount a plurality of common times corresponding to each processingsystem group and can control a start and a stop in the case in which aplurality of processing system groups having different common times ispresent.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a datatransmission processing apparatus and program which can continuouslycarry out a synchronous transmission processing by automaticallystopping counting when one of a plurality of processing systems becomesdisabled and restarting the counting when the processing system becomesenabled again while the processing systems synchronously perform a datatransmission processing

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A data transmission processing apparatus according to the inventionserves to process a plurality of data in parallel and to synchronouslycarry out a transmission processing, including a plurality of processingsystems for independently processing the data, and a plurality ofprocessing system groups to be a set of any of the processing systemswhich is operated at a common time, a counting unit for counting aplurality of common times corresponding to the respective processingsystem groups, time supply unit for supplying the common time obtainedby the counting of the counting unit to all of the processing systemsbelonging to the corresponding processing system group, and countingcontrol unit for starting to count the common time corresponding to oneof the processing system groups by the counting unit when receiving atransmission processing preparation completion notice from all of theprocessing systems belonging to the same processing system group.

By this structure, in the case in which a plurality of processing systemgroups having different common times from each other is present, it ispossible to independently start to count the respective common times andto supply the common times to the corresponding processing systemgroups. Also in the case in which a difference is made over a time takento prepare for the processing of each processing system belonging to oneof the processing system groups, moreover, the common time of one of theprocessing system groups is started to be counted by the counting unitwhen all of the processing systems belonging to the same processingsystem group complete the preparation for the transmission processing,and the time supply unit supplies the times thus obtained to all of theprocessing systems belonging to the same processing system group.Consequently, all of the processing systems belonging to one processingsystem group can synchronously carry out a data processing related to adata transmission.

In the case in which a transmission processing preparation uncompletedprocessing system which has not received a transmission processingpreparation completion notice is present in the processing systems,moreover, the counting control unit starts the counting of the commontime corresponding to a processing system group including one of theprocessing systems completing a transmission processing preparation bythe counting unit when receiving a notice that data stored in a dataholding region reach a predetermined constant amount from the sameprocessing system upon receipt of the transmission processingpreparation completion notice.

By this structure, when each processing system is to prepare for aprocessing at the start of the data transmission processing, it ispossible to start the counting of a common time related to the datatransmission processing without using up the data holding region of oneprocessing system even if there is a processing system taking aconsiderable time to prepare for the processing.

Furthermore, the counting control unit starts the counting of the commontime corresponding to a processing system group to be an object by thecounting unit when it does not receive any notice from all of theprocessing systems for a predetermined period of time in the case inwhich a processing system completing a transmission processingpreparation upon receipt of the transmission processing preparationcompletion notice is present and a transmission processing preparationuncompleted processing system which has not received the transmissionprocessing preparation completion notice is present.

By this structure, when each processing system is to prepare for thedata transmission processing at the start of the processing, it ispossible to count a common time related to the data transmissionprocessing without remarkably delaying the start even if there is aprocessing system taking a considerable time to prepare for aprocessing.

Moreover, the counting control unit stops the counting of the commontime to be an object by the counting unit when a notice of transmissionprocessing disabled is given from one of the processing systems during atransmission processing, and restarts the counting of the common time tobe the object by the counting unit when a notice of transmissionprocessing enabled is given from the same processing system again whilethe time supply unit supplies the common time to the respectiveprocessing systems.

By this structure, it is possible to restart the synchronous datatransmission processing by automatically stopping the counting if one ofthe processing systems becomes disabled and restarting the counting ifthe processing system becomes enabled again when the processing systemssynchronously carry out the data transmission processing.

Furthermore, it is assumed that a data processing in the processingsystem is a transmission processing intended for reproducing the data.Alternatively, it is assumed that a data processing in the processingsystem is a transmission processing intended for recording the data.

By this structure, in the transmission processing intended forreproducing the data or the transmission processing intended forrecording the data, the common time can be counted independently foreach processing system group. Thus, all of the processing systems in theprocessing system group can synchronously carry out the processings.

Moreover, the invention provides a data transmission processing programfor causing each function of all or a part of components of any of thedata transmission processing apparatuses described above to be executedby a computer.

By this program, it is possible to implement each unit of the datatransmission processing apparatus by using the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus according to the first embodimentstarts counting;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation to carried out when the datatransmission processing apparatus according to the first embodimentperforms a data transmission processing synchronously with a commontime;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus according to the secondembodiment starts counting;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus according to the third embodimentstarts counting;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus according to the fourthembodiment stops and restarts the counting of a common time during adata transmission processing.

In the drawings, 1, 2, 3 and 4 denote a data transmission processingapparatus, 11 denotes a clock supply unit, 12 denotes a counting unit,13 denotes a time supply unit, 14 denotes a counting control unit, 151and 152 denote a data supply unit, 16 and 17 denote a processing systemgroup, 161, 162, 171 and 172 denote a processing system, 181 and 182denote a data reproducing unit, 21 denotes a buffer filling countingstart unit, 31 denotes a time-out counting start unit, and 41 denotes acounting temporary stop unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference tothe drawings.

As an example of a data transmission processing apparatus according tothe invention, description will be given to the structure and operationof a data transmission processing apparatus for carrying out aprocessing of transmitting data on various media such as a video, avoice and a text. A data transmission processing program according tothe invention can cause each procedure of an operation in the datatransmission processing apparatus to be executed by a computer, and isincluded in the explanation of an operation according to the embodiment.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.FIG. 1 shows the functional structure of a main part in the datatransmission processing apparatus.

A data transmission processing apparatus 1 according to the firstembodiment has a clock supply unit 11 for supplying a clock signal, acounting unit 12 for counting a common time for each processing systemgroup, a time supply unit 13 for supplying the common time obtained bythe counting of the counting unit 12 to each processing system, acounting control unit 14 for controlling the start of counting for thecounting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13, data supply units 151 and152 for supplying data on various media such as a video, a voice and atext, processing system groups 16 and 17 for synchronously carrying outa plurality of data transmission processings based on the common timesupplied from the time supply unit 13, and data reproducing units 181and 182 for reproducing the data.

Moreover, the processing system group 16 has a plurality of processingsystems 161 and 162 for carrying out a data transmission processingsynchronously with a first common time, and the processing system group17 has a plurality of processing systems 171 and 172 for carrying out adata transmission processing synchronously with a second common time.

The operation of the data transmission processing apparatus having thestructure described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2and 3.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus 1 starts counting, and FIG. 3 isa flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when the datatransmission processing apparatus 1 performs a data transmissionprocessing synchronously with a common time.

As shown in FIG. 2, first of all, the counting control unit 14 starts anoperation at a step S1 and then accepts a notice from each processingsystem at a step S2. The processing system groups 16 and 17 completing apreparation for a processing transmit transmission processing completionnotices to the counting control unit 14 at a step S3. At a step S4, thecounting control unit 14 receives a notice from each processing system.At a step S5, then, the counting control unit 14 decides whether or nottransmission processing completion notices are received from all of theprocessing systems belonging to the processing system group 16 or all ofthe processing systems belonging to the processing system group 17.

If the decision of the step S5 is true, the notice of a start to countand supply a common time for the processing system group to be an objectis given to the counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13 at a stepS6. If the decision of the step S5 is false, moreover, the processingreturns to the step S2 in which the notice is waited to be given fromthe processing system. The counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13start to count and supply a common time for the processing system groupto be an object at a step S8 upon receipt of the notice of a start tocount and supply the common time at a step S7.

A subsequent operation will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Thecounting unit 12 starts to count the common time of the processingsystem group to be an object at a step S11, and the common time of theprocessing system group to be an object is then timed and is transmittedto the time supply unit 13 based on a clock received from the clocksupply unit 11 at a step S12. Subsequently, the counting unit 12 repeatsthe operation of the step S12. The time supply unit 13 receives thecommon time of the processing system group to be the object from thecounting unit 12 at a step S13 and supplies the common time to all ofthe processing systems belonging to the processing system group to bethe object at a step S14.

At a step S15, a data transmission processing is synchronously carriedout based on the common time received by each processing system in thefollowing manner. The processing system 161 and the processing system162 in the processing system group 16 receive data from the data supplyunit 151 and the data supply unit 152 respectively and carry out a datatransmission processing synchronously with the common time supplied fromthe time supply unit 13, and transmit data to the processing system 171and the processing system 172 in the processing system group 17respectively. Moreover, the processing system 171 and the processingsystem 172 in the processing system group 17 receive data from theprocessing system 161 and the processing system 162 respectively andcarry out a data transmission processing synchronously with the commontime supplied from the time supply unit 13, and transmit data to thedata reproducing unit 181 and the data reproducing unit 182respectively. Then, the data transmitted synchronously are reproduced inthe data reproducing unit 181 and the data reproducing unit 182.

According to the data transmission processing apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the invention, there is provided the countingcontrol unit for starting to count a common time when receiving atransmission processing preparation completion notice from all ofprocessing systems belonging to a certain processing system group. Alsoin the case in which a difference is made over a time taken to preparefor the processing of each processing system, consequently, the countingunit starts to count the common time when all of the processing systemscomplete a preparation for a transmission processing and the time supplyunit supplies the time thus obtained to each processing system so thateach processing system can synchronously carry out a data transmissionprocessing.

Moreover, there is provided the counting unit for independently countingcommon times corresponding to a plurality of processing system groups.In the case in which a plurality of processing system groups havingdifferent common times from each other is present, therefore, respectivecommon times can be started to be counted independently and each of thecommon times can be supplied to the corresponding processing systemgroup.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the inventionFIG. 4 shows the functional structure of a main part in the datatransmission processing apparatus.

A data transmission processing apparatus 2 according to the secondembodiment is different from the first embodiment described above inthat the buffer filling counting start unit 21 is provided in thecounting control unit 14 in addition to the structure of the datatransmission processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. The same componentsas those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals anddescription will be omitted.

The buffer filling counting start unit 21 is a counting start unit forstarting to count and supply the common time of a processing systemgroup to which a certain processing system belongs when a notice thatthe data holding region of the same processing system reaches apredetermined constant amount is received, that is, a buffer is broughtinto a filling state.

The operation of the data transmission processing apparatus having theabove structure will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus 2 starts to carry out thecounting.

As shown in FIG. 5, first of all, the counting control unit 14 starts anoperation at a step S21 and then accepts a notice from each processingsystem at a step S22. Processing system groups 16 and 17 transmit atransmission processing completion notice to the counting control unit14 at a step S23 when a preparation for a transmission processing iscompleted. Moreover, the processing system groups 16 and 17 give anotice to the counting control unit 14 at a step S24 if data stored in adata holding region reach a predetermined constant amount.

The counting control unit 14 receives a notice from each processingsystem at a step S25. At a step S26, then, the counting control unit 14decides whether or not the transmission processing completion notice isreceived from all of processing systems belonging to the processingsystem group 16 or all of processing systems belonging to the processingsystem group 17. If the decision of the step S26 is true, the notice ofa start to count and supply a common time for a processing system groupto be an object is given to the counting unit 12 and the time supplyunit 13 at a step S28 and the processing returns to the step S22. If thedecision of the step S26 is false, moreover, the processing proceeds toa step S27.

At the step S27, it is decided whether or not the buffer fillingcounting start unit 21 in the counting control unit 14 receives a noticethat data stored in the data holding region of a certain processingsystem reach a predetermined constant amount. If the decision of thestep S27 is true, the notice of a start to count and supply a commontime for a processing system group including the same processing systemis given to the counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13 also when aprocessing system which has not completed a preparation for a processingis present in the same processing system group. If the decision of thestep S27 is false, the processing returns to the step S22.

The counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13 start to count andsupply a common time for a processing system group to be an object at astep S30 upon receipt of the notice of the start to count and supply thecommon time at a step S29.

Subsequently, a data transmission processing which is synchronous with acommon time is carried out in accordance with the procedure describedwith reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

According to the data transmission processing apparatus in accordancewith the second embodiment of the invention, there is provided thecounting control unit for starting the counting upon receipt of a noticethat data stored in a data holding region reach a predetermined constantamount from any of processing systems completing a preparation for atransmission processing when a processing system which has not completedthe preparation for the transmission processing is present. When eachprocessing system is to prepare for a processing at the start of a datatransmission processing, consequently, it is possible to start to countthe data transmission processing without using up the data holdingregion of one processing system also in the case in which a processingsystem taking a considerable time to prepare for a processing ispresent.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.FIG. 6 shows the functional structure of a main part in the datatransmission processing apparatus.

A data transmission processing apparatus 3 according to the thirdembodiment is different from the first embodiment described above inthat time-out counting start unit 31 is provided in counting controlunit 14 in addition to the structure of the data transmission processingapparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in the firstembodiment have the same reference numerals and description will beomitted.

The time-out counting start unit 31 is counting start unit for startingto count and supply the common time of a certain processing system groupwhen any notice is not received from all of processing systems for apredetermined constant period of time, that is, a predetermined timepasses to bring a time-out in the case in which a processing systemcompleting a preparation for a transmission processing is present and aprocessing system which has not completed the preparation for atransmission processing is present in the same processing system group.

The operation of the data transmission processing apparatus having theabove structure will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation to be carried out when thedata transmission processing apparatus 3 starts to carry out thecounting.

As shown in FIG. 7, first of all, the counting control unit 14 starts anoperation at a step S31 and then accepts a notice from each processingsystem at a step S32. Moreover, the decision of a time-out is carriedout by the time-out counting start unit 31 while the counting controlunit 14 accepts a notice from each processing system at the step S32,and it is decided whether or not the time-out is generated at a stepS33.

When a preparation for a transmission processing is completed,processing system groups 16 and 17 transmit a transmission processingcompletion notice to the counting control unit 14 at a step S34. If thetime-out is not generated at the step S33, the counting control unit 14receives a notice from each processing system at a step S35. At a stepS36, then, the counting control unit 14 decides whether or not thetransmission processing completion notice is received from all ofprocessing systems belonging to the processing system group 16 or all ofprocessing systems belonging to the processing system group 17.

If the decision of the step S36 is true, the notice of a start to countand supply a common time for a processing system group to be an objectis given to counting unit 12 and time supply unit 13 at a step S37. Ifthe decision of the step S36 is false, moreover, the processing returnsto the step S32 in which the notice is waited to be given from theprocessing system.

If the time-out is generated at the step S33, that is, a predeterminedconstant time passes without any notice received from a processingsystem belonging to a certain processing system group when there is anyof processing systems belonging to the same processing system groupwhich has completed a preparation for a processing, moreover, theprocessing proceeds to the step S37 in which the notice of a start tocount and supply a common time for the same processing system group isgiven to the counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13.

The counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13 start to count andsupply a common time for a processing system group to be an object at astep S39 upon receipt of the notice of the start to count and supply thecommon time at a step S38.

Subsequently, a data transmission processing which is synchronous with acommon time is carried out in accordance with the procedure describedwith reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

According to the data transmission processing apparatus in accordancewith the third embodiment of the invention, there is provided thecounting control unit for starting to count a common time to be anobject when any notice is not received from all of processing systemsfor a predetermined constant period of time in the case in which aprocessing system completing a preparation for a transmission processingis present and a processing system which has not completed thepreparation for a transmission processing is present in a processinggroup. When each processing system is to prepare for a processing at thestart of a data transmission processing, consequently, it is possible tocarry out the counting without remarkably delaying the start also in thecase in which a processing system taking a considerable time to preparefor a processing is present.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmissionprocessing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.FIG. 8 shows the functional structure of a main part in the datatransmission processing apparatus.

A data transmission processing apparatus 4 according to the fourthembodiment is different from the first embodiment described above inthat the counting temporary stop unit 41 is provided in the countingcontrol unit 14 in addition to the structure of the data transmissionprocessing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those inthe first embodiment have the same reference numerals and descriptionwill be omitted.

The counting temporary stop unit 41 serves to stop the counting of thecommon time of a processing system group to which one of processingsystems during a transmission processing belongs when the notice oftransmission processing disabled is given from the same processingsystem and to restart the counting of the common time of the processingsystem group to which the same processing system belongs when the noticeof transmission processing enabled is given from the processing systemagain.

The operation of the data transmission processing apparatus having theabove structure will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation for the data transmissionprocessing apparatus 4 to stop the counting of a common time when one ofthe processing systems becomes processing disabled during a transmissionprocessing and to then restart the counting of the common time when theprocessing system which is processing disabled is caused to beprocessing enabled again.

First of all, the counting of a common time is started to carry out asynchronous data transmission processing by the method described withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in the first embodiment.

Next, the counting is controlled by a method shown in FIG. 9. As shownin FIG. 9, the counting control unit 14 starts the supply of a commontime at a step S41 and then accepts a notice from each processing systemat a step S42. In processing system groups 16 and 17, in the case inwhich one of processing systems becomes transmission processing disabledwhen each of the processing systems carries out a transmissionprocessing, the same processing system gives the notice of transmissionprocessing disabled to the counting control unit 14 at a step S43. Whenthe notice of transmission processing disabled is given from one of theprocessing systems at a step S44, the counting temporary stop unit 41 inthe counting control unit 14 gives counting unit 12 and time supply unit13 the notice of a stop to count and supply the common time for aprocessing system group to which the same processing system belongs at astep S45.

When receiving the notice of a stop to count and supply the common timefrom the counting control unit 14, the counting unit 12 and the timesupply unit 13 stop the counting and supply of the common time for aprocessing system group to be an object at a step S46.

Then, the counting control unit 14 accepts a notice from the processingsystem again at a step S47. In the processing system groups 16 and 17,in the case in which the processing system which is transmissionprocessing disabled becomes transmission processing enabled again, thesame processing system gives the counting control unit 14 the notice oftransmission processing enabled at a step S48. In the case in which thenotice of transmission processing enabled is given from the processingsystem which is transmission processing disabled at a step S49, thecounting temporary stop unit 41 in the counting control unit 14 givesthe counting unit 12 and the time supply unit 13 the notice of a restartto count and supply the common time for the processing system group towhich the same processing system belongs at a step S50.

When receiving the notice of a restart to count and supply the commontime from the counting control unit 14, the counting unit 12 and thetime supply unit 13 start the counting and supply of the common time forthe processing system group to be an object at a step S51. Then, a datatransmission processing which is synchronous with the common time iscarried out in accordance with the procedure described with reference toFIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

According to the data transmission processing apparatus according to thefourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided the countingcontrol unit for stopping the counting when the notice of transmissionprocessing disabled is given from one of the processing systems during atransmission processing and for restarting the counting when the noticeof transmission processing enabled is given from the same processingsystem again while the time supply unit supplies a common time to eachof the processing systems. When a plurality of processing systemssynchronously carries out the data transmission processing,consequently, the counting is automatically stopped if one of theprocessing systems becomes processing disabled, and the counting isrestarted if the processing system becomes processing enabled again.Consequently, it is possible to restart the synchronous datatransmission processing.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but canbe executed in various manners without departing from the scope thereof.

For instance, while the description has been given to the example inwhich the data transmission processing apparatus is constituted by twoprocessing system groups, each of which has two processing systems ineach of the embodiments, it is not limited but the data transmissionprocessing apparatus may be constituted by a single processing systemgroup having a plurality of processing systems, or three processingsystem groups or more.

While the description has been given to the data transmission processingapparatus having such a structure as to carry out reproduction by thedata reproducing unit in each of the embodiments, moreover, it is alsopossible to employ a structure in which recording is carried out by thedata recording unit. Referring to data on various media such as a video,a sound and a text, moreover, it is possible to apply to any structurehaving a processing system to utilize the synchronous transmission of aplurality of data.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference tospecific embodiments, it is apparent to the skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

The application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-293668filed on Oct. 7, 2002 and contents thereof are incorporated herein byreference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the invention, it is possible toprovide a data transmission processing apparatus and program in whicheach processing system can synchronously start a processing to carry outcounting for a common time even if a difference is made over a timetaken to prepare for the processing of the processing system.

Moreover, it is possible to provide a data transmission processingapparatus and program which can independently time a plurality of commontimes corresponding to processing system groups and can control a startand a stop in the case in which a plurality of processing system groupshaving different common times is present.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a data transmission processingapparatus and program which can continuously carry out a synchronoustransmission processing by automatically stopping counting if one of aplurality of processing systems becomes processing disabled andrestarting the counting if the processing system becomes processingenabled again when the processing systems synchronously perform a datatransmission processing.

1. A data transmission processing apparatus for processing a pluralityof data in parallel and synchronously carrying out a transmissionprocessing comprising: a plurality of processing systems whichindependently process the data, and a plurality of processing systemgroups having a set of any of the processing systems which is operatedat a common time in the processing systems; a counting unit which countsa plurality of common times corresponding to the respective processingsystem groups; a time supply unit which supplies the common timeobtained by the counting of the counting unit to all of the processingsystems belonging to the corresponding processing system group; and acounting control unit which starts to count the common timecorresponding to one of the processing system groups by the countingunit when receiving transmission processing preparation completionnotices from all of the processing systems belonging to the sameprocessing system group.
 2. The data transmission processing apparatusas set forth in claim 1, wherein the case that a transmission processingpreparation uncompleted processing system which has not received thetransmission processing preparation completion notice is present in theprocessing systems, the counting control unit starts the counting of thecommon time corresponding to the processing system group including oneof the processing systems completing a transmission processingpreparation by the counting unit when receiving a notice that datastored in a data holding region reach a predetermined constant amountfrom the same processing system upon receipt of the transmissionprocessing preparation completion notice.
 3. The data transmissionprocessing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the countingcontrol unit starts the counting of the common time corresponding to theprocessing system group to be an object by the counting unit when thecounting control unit does not receive any notice from all of theprocessing systems for a predetermined period of time in the case that aprocessing system completing a transmission processing preparation uponreceipt of the transmission processing preparation completion notice ispresent and a transmission processing preparation uncompleted processingsystem which has not received the transmission processing preparationcompletion notice is present.
 4. The data transmission processingapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the counting control unitstops the counting of the common time to be an object by the countingunit when the counting control unit receives a transmission processingdisable notice from any one of the processing systems during atransmission processing while the time supply unit supplies the commontime to the respective processing systems; and wherein the countingcontrol unit restarts the counting of the common time to be the objectby the counting unit when the counting control unit receives atransmission processing enable notice from the same processing systemagain while the time supply unit supplies the common time to therespective processing systems.
 5. The data transmission processingapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a data processing in theprocessing system is a transmission processing for reproducing the data.6. The data transmission processing apparatus as set forth in any claim1, wherein a data processing in the processing system is a transmissionprocessing for recording the data.
 7. A data transmission processingprogram for causing each function of all or a part of components of thedata transmission processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1to 6 to be executed by a computer.